On March 25, 2000, Louis J. Acompora died from a condition known as commotio cordis, which resulted from a blow to his chest while playing lacrosse during his first high school game. He was only 14 years old.

This fatal condition quickly leads to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It is a poorly recognized and underreported event that affects healthy young athletes. Following Louis’ tragic death, the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation has dedicated its mission to raising awareness among schools and other public institutions about the importance of owning automated external defibrillators (AED), a simple device that would have saved Louis' life.

The Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation was founded to ensure that similar tragedies are prevented. The Foundation is committed to improving sports safety by training coaches, sports personnel and bystanders to recognize SCA and respond immediately. Basic life support training and access to life-saving defibrillators in all schools and youth athletic organizations are crucial to achieving this goal.

Every life saved is a victory. Please make a donation today and help us continue to save young lives.

Taking Our Children Out Of Harms Way

The Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation is committed to seeing an improvement in sports safety with a special focus on the placement of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED's) for all schools and youth athletic organizations as well as public gathering places. We are dedicated to educating and sharing information on Commotio Cordis and Sudden Cardiac Arrest. The Foundation is committed to expanding CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) -AED training, and heart screenings.